I have read this book too many times to remember, and it's on my list of favourite Middle Grades books. I have read this book with classes, kids book clubs and with small groups of kids and it is always a hit! I particularly love it is book about books and the library. The competition to solve the challenges and escape the library are brilliant and holds the reader's attention throughout. The books mentioned in the story are often added to students' lists of books they want to read because Grabenstein makes them all sound so great. A fun book all around and most definitely should be in all libraries and classrooms. Love, love, love this book. Even better is that it's the first in the series, so there is more fun to be had after reading this one.

This is such an important book. The message that we all need to be seen, be loved, be heard and that we all have a place in this world makes this a must read. Love this fabulous book.

This is a book that has stuck with me since I first read it two years ago. I so love this story, but wow did I cry at the end. To quote Oprah, I "ugly cried". From Ant to Eagle is the amazing story of two brothers and how their relationship evolves around the cancer diagnosis of one of them. I read this book to a group of grade 4/5/6 students and while I read it, they were enthralled. The collective experience of this story stayed with us for quite some time after.

I know that dystopian realistic fiction is a contradiction but this is the best way I can figure to describe this stellar book. Elodee, her twin Naomi, and their parents are moving to Eventown to get away from the sadness that surrounds their family. Eventown is seemingly exactly what the family needs to be happy. Elodee is taken aback as she begins to realize that everything in Eventown in perfect- the yards, the people, the food, the houses, the weather, everything. But Elodee soon discovers that this perfection and happiness comes at a price and she starts to wonder if perfection and happiness is not what she and her family need.

I had never heard about this story and am appreciative that this book opened my eyes to the tragedy of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Beautifully written in verse, this story beings alive the lives of the people impacted by this tragic event.

This recent release is a winner. Zoe is a beautifully rich character who the reader can easily connect with. Her determination for justice, and her love for her family and friends makes this an amazing story.

Junie dreads taking the bus to school because her bully is on the bus too and he says racial slurs to her everyday because she is Korean. The bullying and a dispute with friends takes its toll on her causing her to wonder if it would be easier to not be here. Thankfully she gets the help she needs and as a result of her parents not wanting to leave her alone she starts to spend time with her Grampa. Together they share their stories and Grampa shares stories about his life during the Korean War. Hearing his stories I realised I know very little about this war so his stories were fascinating to me. Through her time with her grandparents Junie discovers things about herself and how to deal with her problems. I couldn’t put this book down- Junie is an incredibly engaging character and this story is rich with history and the love of family.

Book 2 in the Nat Enough graphic novel series is Forget Me Nat. Nat is back and has a big crush on a classmate, and this crush is taking up a lot of her thoughts and time. Read this book to find out if her crush is reciprocated and if she will learn that friends are important too. A fun and relatable story for middle grade kids.

Another must-read novel! This was the second middle-grade novel option in the Global Read Aloud this year. I have read this book to groups of grade 4s two years in a row and both years they have loved it. Mia is a beautiful character full of hope and grit. Mia and her family, recent immigrants to the US from China, have undertaken the management of a motel in California, with great hopes for success and prosperity in their future. They soon discover the owner's promises of a wonderful life were false. Even so, her family sticks together through tough times, with the help of some of the motel "monthlies", a good sense of humour and perseverance we should all wish for.